Lehigh Hopes Ryan Friend Is Another Nick Martucci * Engineers Got Got Players From Schools That Have A Tremendous Tradition.

February 21, 1999|by GARY R. BLOCKUS, The Morning Call

After a long glance at the list of Lehigh University's big 33 member class of football recruits for the fall, one question springs to mind: Is there a Nick Martucci in the group?

Martucci, Lehigh's graduating defensive end, started football camp as a tight end his freshman year, moved to defensive end a day or two later and earned a starting role in the opening game that season against Army.

A graduate of tiny Pius X High School in Roseto and a resident of Brodheadsville, Martucci started all 46 games in a Lehigh career that ended with him being named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year.

"One player we liken to Nick is Ryan Friend from Western Pennsylvania," said Kevin Higgins, Lehigh's head football coach.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder from Woodland Hills High School "is tall, lean, runs extremely well, has got a good motor and has a tremendous work ethic. Maybe he's not a Nick Martucci, but we expect him to be a very good football player," Higgins said.

One of the key things Martucci did by entering Lehigh was open the door for other Pius X players like junior quarterback Phil Stambaugh, who was the league's Player of the Year.

"We were able to get some players this year from high schools that have a tremendous football tradition, and from high schools we haven't had players from in a long, long time," Higgins said, pointing out linebacker Jason Anthony and safety Sam Roberts from Wyoming Seminary, tailback Justin Barrasso of Marian Catholic and linebacker Mike Eagens of St. Ignatius in Ohio.

Lehigh's undefeated regular season (11-0) and its two-game run in the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs both hindered recruiting and helped it. Lehigh's coaching staff missed at least 10 days at the start of the recruiting campaign beginning around Thanksgiving because of the post-season play.

"I was concerned because we lost so many days on the road with our coaches," said Higgins. Lehigh's six assistants see about five players a day and visit five high schools in a week, putting them behind on almost 300 face-to-face meetings by the time the playoff run was over.

"That hurt us initially because we didn't get to some of the far away areas we like to, but on the other hand, going to the playoffs helped us once we got the kids on campus," Higgins said. "They could see the support for the team, the highlight film, the chemistry amongst our players. That sells incoming recruits."

The focus of the recruiting class is primarily on defensive backs and defensive linemen. Lehigh graduates three of its starting four defensive backs, four all together, and all four had at least three years of playing experience.

Safety Brad Sersch of Bishop McDevitt and defensive lineman Jason Miller of Bishop Hoban are two of the key recruits at those positions. Higgins is impressed with fullback Brad Stanley from Conestoga Valley and offensive lineman Jeff Santacroce of of Maryland, who turned down a full scholarship to William & Mary for Lehigh.

Higgins played football at West Chester University with the father of quarterback candidate Dave Crockett of Washington Twp., N.J., who also plays safety.

Local recruits also include safety Matt Salvaterra of Emmaus, tight end Darin Henry of Upper Perkiomen and offensive lineman Hugh Wilson of Bethlehem Catholic.

Higgins said the recruitting class has the best academic standing in the last five years, and that many of the players were team captains and two-sport athletes.